Electronic states of the triply charged molecular ion N-2(3+) and laser-induced Coulomb explosion

Potential-energy curves for the low-lying doubler and quartet stares of var ious symmetries (Pi(g) , Pi(u) , Sigma(g) , and Sigma(u),,) of the triply c harged N-2(3+) molecular cation are studied using quantum ab initio methods . These states correlate asymptotically to the N2++N+ atomic fragments. No stable (bound) states are found to occur in the midst of many Coulomb repul sive potentials. The potentials are shown to follow a pure Coulomb repulsio n law at R greater than or equal to 5 bohr. The most relevant configuration s are enumerated for discussion of recent laser Coulomb explosion and imagi ng experiments. [S1050-2947(99)08506-6].